Background

Hip fracture in the elderly has high morbidity and mortality. National guidelines have recommended low molecular weight (LMW) heparin or aspirin for thromboprophylaxis in hip fracture. Unlike other types of major surgery, there is a lack of trial evidence for graduated elasticated compression (GEC) stockings in hip fracture patients.

Fifty-four hips converted to low friction arthroplasty between 1965 and 1975 have been reviewed one to eleven years after operation. In many cases malposition had led to degenerative changes in the opposite hip, the lumbar spine or the knee, often with severe loss of function due to pain. It was found that total replacement could give useful relief of pain and improved function, though the range of movement obtained was not as good as in primary replacement. An outstanding feature was the correction of inequality of leg length. In general, the results were much better in cases of ankylosis acquired in adult life than in cases of spontaneous fusion after sepsis in childhood. The most important complication was a single case of sciatic palsy.